Trend Alert

Back in style for the coming Fall is Long Pendant Necklaces exceeding 24".

What to Look for in Earrings for the Fall:

• Long and linear earrings are typically 2-6 inches long and stick straight in design. They can be sterling silver, gold, stainless steel or even mixed with color gemstones or pearls.
• Don’t ignore mixed materials, such as yellow gold with sterling silver; they pair well in this trend.

Also According to the JA report a resource for the professional jeweler look for:

Jewelry Trend Fall 2012: Bow Jewelry

Looking ahead to fall trends, one of the top jewelry trends jewelry retailers should snatch up for their showcases is bow jewelry! Feminine and whimsical, bow-tie jewelry will be everywhere this fall, but it's not just for the super sweet. Seen in a variety of styles -- from Stainless Steel to diamonds, and traditional to free-form designs -- bow jewelry appeals to a range of customers, from young girls and to mature women. 

Jewelry Trend: Spring 2012 is Hot for Gemstones

This season, gemstone rings and necklaces will be ubiquitous in jewelry accessories. The more natural and/or opaque, the better! Our in-house trend experts at Jewelry Information Center advise jewelry retailers to showcase these key gemstone trends: organic-looking gemstones -- like opals, rutilated quartz and moonstones; sultry opaque gemstones -- like hematite, lapis lazuli and labradorite; and gemstones that pop with color.
  advise jewelry retailers to showcase these key gemstone trends: organic-looking gemstones -- like opals, rutilated quartz and moonstones; sultry opaque gemstones -- like hematite, lapis lazuli and labradorite; and gemstones that pop with color.

Green Jewelry and Art

Once we as a human race, finally figured out we are basically killing our home, going green became less a tree huger thing, and more of a survival thing. Green everything is now on top of most peoples list of what to look for when buying products and services. Now that green living is a standard, fads have popped up everywhere. It is now cool to make your own detergent, upcycle, recycle, and reuse. I personally love these ideas as I have been "upcycling" for years and just didn't have a word for it..lol. One of the big fad popular from teenagers to retires is pop tab or can tab jewelry fashions and art. If you are creative enough you can do things with the whole can. I make jewelry and sculptures from the tabs and make wall art from the rest of the can. I have also started using other recycled items instead of canvas for my paintings. Many small business jewelry owners and using recycled gold and silver. upcycleing old jewelry into new hip styles. If you have the imagination for it nothing is trash anymore!!

Give us a shout out and tell us how you green! Don't forget to check out my budding new green line at wild ivy design

FREE STUFF !!!!!!!!!

It is time for a little Christmas in July.

 I am giving away to 2 lucky winners this ring. http://wildivydesign.storenvy.com/products/383568-rosette-ring-any-size-2-15

All you have to do is go here http://www.facebook.com/wildivydesigns
The contest is at the top of the page. Just like, share and comment and your entered. Contest ends this Friday.

I will be adding new ring designs to the store soon. One lucky winner will receive one  by winning this contest! 

Have you heard of...Storenvy?

So I have had my business at Storenvy for about 5 months now and have realized that there are still a lot of people that have never heard of it. To be perfectly honest neither had I before Christmas time last year. So I thought I would devote today's post to Storenvy, and introduce you all to this great marketplace. I asked a set of questions to several of the store owners on Storenvy  on Facebook the other day, to give you more of a round table view of this place. These are their responses.

  

My first question was. How long have you been selling with Storenvy? 

Storenvy Veteran Cody Nations of Lu and Ed 

replied she has "been on Storenvy since they were a baby. When I joined there was less than 500 users."

To quote her blog "Storenvy now has over 15,000 launched stores and is one of the fastest growing e-commerce sites out there" (http://luanded.blogspot.com/2012/06/my-monsters-at-storenvy-hq.html)

So any advice I get from her I put in my Storenvy bible, she is definitely my go to gal for Storenvy info! 

Dianna Holder  of Tinkers magical junk trunk

is new to the scene having been refereed there by a friend and tired of problems with Ebay. 

My next question was what made you decide to choose storenvy?

Some were refereed there by friends, and the perks are what made them go for it.  Danielle Moore Strong 

of Squshies said she loved the idea of no fees and customizing you can do there.

I wanted to know, Do you sell on other sites and if so what is it?

 

 Cody replied "I would never ever dream of selling on another site. I love Storenvy too much. :)" Talk about loyalty ! 

Dianna sells on Facebook some and Danielle uses Etsy some. 

Next I asked What do you suggest for new store owners to do to increase their sales and views?

More pointedly I ask Cody Do you suggest investing in an advertising campaign of some type?

Cody Nations As in paying for one? It depends on your target market and if you, yourself, can reach them. That's something each indie business owner has to determine for themselves. I do almost all of my marketing myself though. I spend $11 a month in advertising space.

Dianna's advice is "Word of Mouth,advertise all ya can..Sales and promotions."

As for me I do all of my advertising myself and I get around 400 views daily or at least till I got sick I did, time to get back on the advertising track again.  My advice is don't give up, most new business does not do good the first year, but if you keep plugin away and find your niche you will be OK.  

And don't forget to check out these great stores for something unique and fascinating.  

Lu and Ed 

Wild Ivy Design 

Tinkers Magical Junk Trunk 

Squshies 

Storenvy V/S Etsy

Storenvy vs. Etsy

I used to sell on Etsy at one time a few years ago and I never really made any sales what so ever but 

I’ve had several people ask why I switched platforms and how I like Storenvy so far. So, here’s a few reasons why I like Storenvy so far:

1. Storenvy is free! During some months on Etsy, I was paying a lot in fees on top of PayPal fees. With Storenvy, the only thing I pay for is $2.99/mo for special coupon code discounts- which are awesome by the way! No fees means more money at the end of the day!

2. Smaller marketplace = better chance of my products being seen. At Etsy I felt like my pieces were buried in the mass of product listed there. On Storenvy, I can search one of my keywords and see one of my items pop up in the first 10-20 results.

3. Customization. My store looks like its own website instead of blending in with all the other storefronts.

4. The community! The forums, “following” aspect, and the interaction with the people behind Storenvy is great. They are actively talking with shop owners and seem to genuinely care about users. (Ex: their Twitter.)

Overall, I am really happy with Storenvy 

http://wildivydesign.storenvy.com/

Are any of you thinking of making the switch? 

Do you sell there already?

What do you think about this?

Jewelry trends of 2012

Jewelry ... This Season

It's all over the place - stay classic with pearls!

This Summer jewelry is all about making a big statement. Be it with a necklace, a bangle or a oh so big cocktail ring. From ethnic beading, to exotic stones, to avant garde pieces, the one thing is constant: it must be big and bold, and colorful...

Nature Calls...

Lots of emphasis on natural colors. Also materials such as stone and wood are big this season in jewelry. The natural feels are a organic and botanical looking beads is a big trend especially in pendants.

Bold and Big - a must in Jewelry this season

Large stones, gemstones and seed beads are still front runners, "over the top in size". Natural gem stone jewelry pieces are kept big and bold just as last spring.

Pendants, Charms and Single Stones

Is one better than multiple? Single large stones that hang in a pendant configuration are in .... Women will be wearing bright and somewhat larger charm bracelets, and necklaces this season .

What's Up With Colors!

Natural to bright - anything goes this spring. The bright colors of nature, think vibrant sunset or soft seascape.

Metals

There is always and always will be room for metals in beaded jewelry. In medals think sleek and modern designs. Look for an even mixed with natural materials like wood and stone beads mixed with medals. This season the medal piece's have taken on a more modern look.

Silver and Gold

Silver is as always hot! But this season gold is making a good comeback. You will see the two metals mixed , to create some wonderful jewelry piece's. Charms, pendants and larger jewelry beads are what what's seen on runways in the spring lines...

A Day in the life of a Designer

Wake up....*grumble* stumble to the coffee, pry eyelids open.

Feed the kids

Do the dishes

Do the laundry

Check email, store, ebay, twitter, ect,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Lunch 

spend a little time with the kids

Process and package sales

research

Dinner

Spend time with kids

Design and create

Advertise

Finish cleaning house

Do any homework

Sleep 4 hours and repeat

This is my life in a nutshell of course I will be adding classes back to the list in a few weeks. How does your day go as a designer?

http://wildivydesign.storenvy.com/